A Round Up of Insights for Turbulent Times

Black swan events like Corona Virus pandemic leaves us scrambling to respond effectively. While individually, we cannot control what happens out there, we can always choose our response to it. And the most effective response in these times, fortunately, is to simply distance physically, slow down, stay put and use the down time to reflect on what truly matters.

Collectively, we have a choice to put forward the best of humanity and prepare for the new normal in terms of how we deal with uncertainty that follows the pandemic, how we lead our lives, serve others and transact with each other.

While the extent and impact of this pandemic is still unfolding as I write this, I wanted to share some meta-insights from my learning network on how to recollect ourselves in the face of a global human tragedy. Here we go:

Otto Scharmer on the conversation we need to have now

So why do we keep ourselves busy with stuff that is not essential?

If we let go of everything that is not essential — what’s left? It’s another great question (or “mantram”) to meditate on. Whatever the answer is that emerges for you from this contemplation, keep it in your heart.

What if we used this disruption as an opportunity to let go of everything that isn’t essential in our life, in our work, and in our institutional routines? How might we reimagine how we live and work together? How might we reimagine the basic structures of our civilization? Which effectively means: how can we reimagine our economic, our democratic, and our learning systems in ways that bridge the ecological, the social, and the spiritual divides of our time?

These are great questions to ponder upon as we face a new reality ahead of us. One thing is clear: global issues like natural disasters, climate change and pandemics know no boundaries at a time when we are more connected than ever before. On the other end of this outbreak, we need to come out wiser, stronger and hopefully, simpler.

A Word from the CEO: Leading in a Crisis

There’s nothing like a crisis or a complex problem to accelerate learning. This is learning agility to the “Nth” degree—applying past lessons to new and unfamiliar situations. It really is knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.

Crisis situations are crucibles of leadership. Korn Ferry’s CEO Gary Burnison offers six steps for leadership in these critical times with focus on bottoms-up leadership that includes and involves people.

Coronavirus Is Serious, But Panic Is Optional – Margo Aaron

Making money isn’t evil. What’s evil is emotionally exploiting people in order to do it. Which is precisely what these headlines are doing.

You can fill your brain with information without feeling terror, panic, worry, or fear.

The media has failed in its responsibilities to the public, but you don’t have to fail in your responsibilities as a citizen. Do not let fear hijack your brain.

Coronavirus is serious, but panic, worry, and terror are optional.

Choose a better option.

In times like these, it’s vital to also distance yourself from the misinformation being spread about the pandemic numbers, forecasts, possible cures, alternative medicines and home remedies. We need more scientific temperament to consume information from authentic sources, stay aware and take necessary precautions without panicking. Bottom line? Don’t let fear hijack your brain.

The Most Important Skill Nobody Taught You

When you surround yourself with moments of solitude and stillness, you become intimately familiar with your environment in a way that forced stimulation doesn’t allow. The world becomes richer, the layers start to peel back, and you see things for what they really are, in all their wholeness, in all their contradictions, and in all their unfamiliarity.

At a time when a lot of people are either in quarantine or self-isolation mode, it is important to recognize the value of solitude as a conducive space for reflection and creativity. It is only when we slow down that we can notice the richness of our being and truly observe the world around (and within) us.

Lent and Self-Quarantine – Dr. Setu Vora

If we show the courage to do the right things guided by science (truth), art (beauty), and spirit (goodness) we will overcome this and other threats in the future.

This thought from Dr. Vora really struck the chord. He further says, “Temptations corrupts three human abilities: to think, wish and feel which are inside the mind, soul and heart.”

The Raw and the Cooked – Simon Terry

Today you have the simple choice. You will be raw in your experience of this threatening world. Forgive yourself for the rawness, the pain, the regret and the loss. They are real. Give yourself also the time to reach out, to care for others, to share stories and to embrace the culture and community within which we live. Others need help more than ever now. Your contact and concern could be the most important gesture in their life today.

Prescriptions for “Social Distancing” are everywhere. This post from Simon urges us to embrace the rawness of this threatening experience and give yourself the time to reach out, connect and share with community while you exercise physical distancing. 

Image via: Kenneth Mikkelsen